Friday, December 28, 2012

Bond Turns 50


Five of the most remembered actors to portray the 007 British spy
James Bond.  (Left to right:  Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, Roger
Moore, Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig.
 
 
 
 
 by Felicity Blaze Noodleman


BOND  TURNS  50



To celebrate the 50th. Year of the “James Bond 007” spy thrillers in motion pictures, the latest being entitled “Skyfall”; this week’s article is undertaking the writing of a short story about the world of spying.  Ian Fleming who authored the James Bond character in his 1952 novel “Casino Royal” has been dead since 1964.  He wrote twelve 007 novels in all and were based on his work in British Naval Intelligence during the Second World War.  Although Fleming was only a cog in the large intelligence gathering branch of the HMS Royal Navy, he seemed to take a special delight in creating and writing about his ultra ego “James Bond”.   The spy for all occasions and assignments.

 

Fleming’s novels were all well received by the public and shortly before his death the first James bond film was made in 1962.  The 007 movies created a new style of motion picture.  Bond films were exciting and the plot for each unfolded in many locations all over the world.  Very exciting for the average theater attendee’s since James Bond opened a door into a world so far removed to them.

 

The Bond spy prototype has been in existence for century’s and was employed in many nations both East and West up until the end of the 20th century.  The end of the cold war between NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) countries and the Soviet Union really ended the need for the so called field agents.  In fact the NATO nations are so far ahead of all the other nations in the world the only things of interest to NATO and the United States is how other countries are advancing.  The two areas of interest for NATO and the United Nations are the Middle Eastern nations and Korea.  Small nations with aspirations of becoming as powerful militarily as the United States, Russia or the Chinese.  

 

Fleming’s experience in Her Majesties Royal Navy begins to give us a clue concerning modern espionage although he writes very little about it only making brief references to today’s “Spies”.  If you’ve ever wondered how such a high profile character such as a James Bond could ever be effective as a spy then congratulate yourself.  You’re smarter than the vast majority.  The real life spy is something less than a Chess Board Pawn and only contributes a very small amount of information to the “Mother Organization”.  And as for the occupation of Asian or Killer; well those jobs are filled by criminals and the dregs of society.  They are never traceable or associated to the actual intelligence organizations involved.
 
 
 
 


 

The spies of today’s world are actually intelligence organizations who continually compile and gather information on so many different areas of interest it would boggle the imagination of you or I.   Their agents are actually the latest Intel chip or maybe computer programs designed to probe the Internet for information of interest. 

 

Every once and a while I see a glimpse of real life spies in literature and film.  A “Jack Ryan” character in a Tom Clancy novel  who is a CIA analysis or maybe a “Joe Turner” as portrayed in a novel by James Grady’s “Six Days of The Condor” (later shortened to “ Three Days of The Condor”; a film staring Robert Redford).  These kinds of “work a day” government employees have for the most part replaced the 007 style field agent.   In fact if you begin to compile the profiles of the examples I’ve just given you than a prototype spy begins to emerge which is very close to a real spy.

 

The real life spies are very dull and mundane by most standards.  I feel the best example of a real life spy portrayed in film was in “The Eiger Sanction”; a film by Clint Eastwood.  The novel written by Trevanian, discussed the murder of an agent codenamed “Wormwood” and his avenge.  “Wormwood” is probably the most accurate portrayal of a real life spy I’ve ever seen.  A man living on life’s fringe in a very lonely world.

 

Industrial espionage is more in tune with the 007 Bond type of spying these days.  The companies of today are very eager to know what the latest trends and developments are in their fields of manufacturing.  What is the newest circuit making electronics smaller, faster and cheaper.  Where will the latest lines and colors in fashion be for summer.  There is all kinds of spying going on in our everyday world of commerce.  It really happens everywhere:  sports, business, recreation, the arts and even in house wares.












"LIVE  TO  DIE
ANOTHER  DAY"

THE  LIFE  OF  CHIN  JUNG  LEE

A Short Story by Felicity Blaze Noodleman
 
 


The Peninsula of Korea divided into two political states of North and
South by the allies after WWII.  The map also shows Korea in relation
to China and Russia in the north and Japan in the south.




 

Chin Jung Lee was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1948.  His parents were refugees from North Korea who escaped the North after the Communist take over in 1945 by the Russians which divided the small country in to two different political factions creating a North and South Korea.  His father hoped for a free Korea after the Japanese were defeated at the end of the Second World War but Korea would now be occupied by new aggressors. 





First the Jung family fled to South Korea and then immigrated to the United States as political refugees under the provisions of the US Immigration Department.  Chin Sr. had been an informant for the US Army’s OSS, the military branch which would later become the CIA.  He helped the OSS during WWII and now in the new Cold War.  His life was in danger from the Communist’s in North Korea.  He and his new wife would immigrate to the United States in Los Angeles, CA.  This  would be their new home.
 
As some of the first Koreans to settle in Southern California the Lees would be free naturalized citizens in their new home and life would be so very different to the life they had experienced in Korea.  With the birth of their first son a new generation of the Jung family would begin.  An American generation.
 
Chin was bought up in the traditional Korean home with his parents.  His father Chin Sr. established a small market catering to the Korean needs of the now growing community in Los Angeles and his mother Sue Lee worked in a dry cleaning establishment.  He learned to read and speak both Korean and Chinese from his parents who were fluent in both.  They also spoke some Russian and Japanese.  He went to his local public school near the family home.  He truly was a first generation Korean-American.

 



Being educated in an American school was difficult for Chin at first but he soon grasped the new English language and began to do well in his studies.  During his High School years Chin became active in the extracurricular organizations offered at his large Los Angeles High School.  Chin knew he wanted to attend College but how?  This is when he came into contact with the Army ROTC program offered at his high school. 
 
With a scholarship granted by the ROTC program and support from his family he began college at the University of Southern California.  He was an excellent student and discovered he had a high aptitude for language.  This was not a surprise to Chin.  He began to study Russian formally since he could neither read nor write the language and he soon became fluent in five languages now speaking, reading and writing in Korean, Chinese, Russian, English and able to speak some Japanese.
 
It was at this point the US Army began to take a special notice of Chin Jung Lee.  He was offered a full scholarship at West Point, The United States Military Academy.  Here at West point he would be given an education which would prepare him to be an Officer in the US Army.  Chin was looking forward to a career in the Army.  He graduated from West Point with honors and was given his first duty assignment at Fort Hood, TX.  He had come a long way from the family home in Los Angeles and would travel even further with his first overseas tour of duty in Seoul, South Korea.
 
 
 
 

 Chin would be a new kind of spy.  He would be an intelligence specialist
translating communications intercepted by the United States and S Korean
intelligence agencies.  Chin would also volunteer for more dangerous field assignments.
 
 
 

Was it an accident, providence or fate which brought the 22 year old Chin to this point of his life?  He wondered.  He had been serving in the Army now for two years working as an intelligence officer.  He had all the right qualifications and excelled at his work.  Now a new branch of the US Government would approach Chin with a job offer which he would readily accept.  He would become an intelligence officer for the CIA.  He would become a Spy gathering intelligence through communications and even in the field – in North Korea; and sometimes in China and Russia.
 
Chin was sent State side for further education and training at Quantico, VA with the US Marines and the FBI.  He was formally induction into the CIA at Langley, VA.  After a year of specialized training in Virginia Chin was long overdue for his military “Leave”.   Some R&R with his family in Los Angeles was all he could think about.  The year was now 1972.  As Chin returned home his thoughts were of all his hard scholastic achievements and his new career in the military.  Once he reached his Los Angeles home Chin felt a sense of relief he had never known before.  He now appreciated his home like he never had before.

 

Somehow things were now different for him now.  His parents had noticeably become older and so was he.  Both his mother and father expressed their pride in Chin’s accomplishments since he’d left home and now he was an honored guest in the family home.  As he talked with his father about his work with the Army and the CIA Chin came to know a side of Chin Sr. he had never seen before.  Chin realized that he had followed more closely in his father’s steps than he knew. 
 
 
 

 
Chin Sr. began to talk about the family home and life in North Korea under the Japanese occupation of WWII and then under the Communists.  He described things which he had done for the OSS in great detail.  He illustrated these story’s with maps and hand drawn illustrations he’d saved over the years.  For a moment Chin Jr. felt like he was back at his base in Seoul, S. Korea receiving an intelligence briefing.  Chin Jr. discovered he was the son of a SPY!  The stories his father and mother were telling his seemed to in creditable to be true.








"Monumental Tower" to commemorate the NATO forces in Korea
and their first battle. "Task Force Smith" the battle for Osan, Korea
July 5, 1950.  Intelligence provided by Chin Sr.
would aid the NATO forces.




 The two weeks spent at home flew by but it was so good to be back with the family.  Old memories began to fill his thoughts.  He had worked so hard to make it through school spending his time studying.  Now he realized he had not built any personal relationships.  If he was to find a love interest it should happen soon before he became too old.  Was his biological clock going off?  He wondered, but there was no one for him to pursue.  His mother spoke with him about it but still it was a shallow thought, at least for Chin.

 



Soon it was time to prepare for his journey back to Seoul, S. Korea.  He said his goodbyes to the family at the airport where his military transport would fly nonstop back to his duty assignment in Korea.  When he arrived at the Army Base in Seoul chin received new orders and continue his journey to his new assignment.  Everything about this was highly classified, his orders, his new base and his new job.  He was being assigned to the most sensitive duty stations in South Korea.  Chin would be working in the most secret bases in Korea.  Once he arrived Chin was given his full security briefing.  Chin was then driven to his quarters and then to his offices.
 
 
 
 
 

The main gate at Osan Air Base South Korea.
 

This base was like nothing he had ever seen or heard about before.  Officially it was an Air Force Base which was being run by the CIA.  The base had a large Army detachment which was mainly responsible for the security of the installation.  Also assisting the Army was an equally large detachment of South Korean Army forces, the ROK.  All were there to protect the air field and the CIA installation.  It was nothing Chin had ever seen or imagined before.
 
Once settled into his office and with yet more briefings, Chin learned he was to be working in Cryptology as a language specialist.  The installation was intercepting radio transmissions from North Korea, China and Southern Russia.  All were coming across his desk for translation.  Every morning he would attend meetings informing base superiors of the information being received and the intelligence which would be included for dispatch to all of the agencies which the base was disseminating to.  It was a worldwide network of intelligence organizations.  The remainder of the day would be spent putting together the package to be sent out.  A package which included satellite and aerial photography as well as all radio and television transmissions.  The base had its thumb on the Communists every move.
 
This was a relatively new kind of spying.  Satellite surveillance was now the eyes and ears of the west.  A post in space which was being maximized to the fullest.  In conjunction with this new wealth of information, air flights were being dispatched almost daily to take a closer look.  It was a gold mine of intelligence which had to be interpreted every day.  Chin began to settle into his new job.  His training was serving him well and he quickly became recognized for his professionalism and expertise in his new line of work.  He was highly knowledgeable and an asset to his organization.  He would soon be promoted from his rank of Captain to Major and be given more responsibility.  He had moved quickly up the ladder of rank and would soon be the assistant officer in charge of his unit.
 

One morning, as fate would have it, the daily briefing included an unusual feature.  A group of MIA’s (personnel missing in action) had been located deep in North Korea.  A mission was being put together to rescue these men and volunteers were being sought for the operation.  Chin felt he could assist and asked to join the effort.  He was accepted and told he would be placed in charge of the rescue operation.  He was more qualified than he knew.  The operation was code named “Over Coat” and Chin’s designation would be “Top Hat”. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cover for a Cloak and Dagger Mission.
 
This operation had been planned out in advance and every conceivable circumstance had been considered.  This would be a bold excursion into North Korea and would be so classified that any knowledge of such a mission would be denied by all of the allied forces in the west.  The chances for success were, well almost next to none, but now with Chin on board the team’s chances for success greatly improved.  Since Chins parents were from N. Korea his Korean was perfect for the job.  His training at Quantico now would be of value. 
 

“Top Hat” and “Over Coat” began to rehearse the mission right down to the finest of details.  The team would be flown into N. Korea by helicopter and parachuted into the area with a truck which had been prepared with N. Korean insignias.  It had been captured and was the real thing.  Chin was to impersonate a N. Korean officer and his team “Over Coat” would all be S. Korean Army specialists.  They would be impersonating N. Korean army troops.  At first he found his troops difficult to work with but he soon discovered these men responded best to an almost brutal kind of discipline.  Once he adjusted to this attitude things quickly came under control.  The game was now afoot.  The team was now ready for the mission.
 
One thing to be said for American air power was that it was almost undetectable by the enemy.  Planes flew so high the North had no knowledge of their existence and the “Close in support” was highly experienced in flying under the North’s radar.  This is how “Top Hat and Overcoat” would reach their target only surfacing high enough to parachute everything to the ground.  Just a short brief blip on the enemies radar and then gone.
 
 
 
 
 
 CH 54 A Skycrane used to transport "Top Hat and Over Coat"
into North Korea.

 

When the troop but boots on the ground the mission quickly got underway.  All traces of their landing had to be covered.  They took possession of their truck and headed to the N. Korean base holding the MIA’s.  Phases one and two were complete with no casualties.  Now came the difficult part.  Walking right through the enemy’s front door and picking up the MIA’s to bring back to the South.  At this point all of the details of the mission were being handled by the clock and everything was proceeding according to plan. 
 
A faint untraceable message was being sent to the N. Korean base instructing them to expect Chin and his men and to release the MIA’s to Chin’s custody for transport to an undisclosed location.  “Top Hat and Over Coat” arrived shortly and Chin presented his documentation to the camp commander demanding the MIA’s.  Everything was working as planned.  The N. Korean commander had no idea he was talking to the “Sun of a Spy”!  The MIA’s were loaded onto the truck and they were off in short order.  Chin could not believe how well things were working.  All of the planning was paying off with huge results.  This took care of steps three and four.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Enemy North Korean soldiers similar to those encountered by Chin and
his men.
 

Now for the difficult part of the mission.  “Top Hat and Over Coat” would transport the MIA’s to a location not far from the point where they had entered N. Korea to be picked up by helicopter.  Again they would fly under N. Korean radar to a Naval Aircraft Carrier destined for Seoul S. Korea.  The MIA’s were very bad condition.  Dehydrated, malnourished and in need of medical attention the men were hardly up to the trip but they would have to make it.  Chin and his men would do what they could for the MIA’s hoping they could get them safely aboard the awaiting transports.  Once again the mission would unfold as planned.
 
Once aboard the awaiting helicopter everyone felt a lot better.  It was now just a short hop, skip and a jump to the Aircraft Carrier.  The US Army pilots wasted no time in departing N. Korea and making their way for the coast and through the seven mile distance to the naval vessel which was waiting to receive them in international waters.  Finally they would be in US territory and safe.  The mission had been a success.
 
Upon arrival at the Naval Aircraft Carrier the MIA’s were released for medical treatment.  Chin and his men were debriefed as their mission was concluded.  This was a huge relief for Chin.  His first field mission couldn’t have gone any better.  It was at this point that he discovered who these MIA’s were, all except one were CIA operatives working undercover in N. Korea much like his own father had been all those years ago.  The other man picked up by the Chin’s mission was a little more unusual to say the least.  He was an Englishman who was in N. Korea on a solo mission unrelated to any military operation being conducted by the allies.

 

Chin asked to sit in on the debriefing for the MIA’s and was allowed to do so since it had been his efforts which rescued these men.  This alone was an education in itself.  The Englishman however was debriefed by a special envoy of British officials with an American official from the Department of State.  This was all a greatly classified matter.  Chin again asked if he might meet with the Englishman whom he only knew as Jim.  
 
A brief face to face was set up for the two men, a chance to exchange greetings.  Jim was in much better condition by now and thanked Chin for his rescue and his life.  Jim briefly informed Chin that he was a British agent and his mission was classified and unsuccessful.  Chin gave Jim a bit of encouragement and told him that he would “live to die another day”.  Jim just laughed and said 00’s always carry through with their assignments and this was the first time he was unable to deliver.  Chin asked,” what do you mean by “00” Jim”?  “Well that’s my designation you see,  I’m James Bond, 007”!




Chin has now retired from the Army and CIA having served for more than thirty years.  During that time he was promoted to Brig. General working for most of that time in Korea and then serving in the Pentagon in Washington, DC.  He has returned to Los Angeles, CA and lives on his retirement benefits and his inheritance from the family business which has grown and is now being operated by his brothers and sister.  I see him now and again some times for coffee in the morning and listen to his stories!  He's an interesting man to know!
 
 
 
 
 
Pro-unification messages hang on the barbed wire at the Imjingak, near the
demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating South and North Korea on
December 20, 2011 in Paju, South Korea.

 
 
 
 

 

 


* “The Noodleman Group” is pleased to announce that we are now carrying a link to the “USA Today” news site.We installed the “widget/gadget” August 20, and it will be carried as a regular feature on our site.Now you can read“Noodleman” and then check in to “USA Today” for all the up to date News, Weather, Sports and more!Just scroll all the way down to the bottom of our site and hit the “USA Today” hyperlinks.Enjoy!
 
 
 
 
 
The Noodleman Group is on Google "Blogger"!
 
 


Friday, December 21, 2012

The Blessings of Christmas



*  All art for this article provided by "Google Images".  A star
pointed the way for three wise men from the east  .  .  .




THE BLESSINGS
OF 
CHRISTMAS



by Felicity Blaze Noodleman

 

 
This weeks  article  will not be very long.   All four of the Gospels in the Christian Holy Bible chronicle the birth and life of Jesus.  It is why we celebrate Christmas.   I just wanted to remind all of the true meaning of Christmas.   May God bless each and every one of you as we come to the end of another year and commence with the new year of 2013!



When we attempt to bring our hearts, minds and thoughts back to the true meaning of Christmas we think of the man from Galilee.  These thoughts Reignite the fire of true love and peace in our hearts – the love given so freely to us by our Heavenly Father which we now must give to the world around us.  With the holidays of Christmas and New Years only less than a week away, we will be taking time off from our jobs to be with our loved ones and friends to celebrate the holidays. 
 
This time of the year means so many things to so many people but for Christians it’s the annual calibration of our savior’s birth and marks the new beginning of God’s redemption for human kind.  During the life of Jesus Christ It was a time of wonders, signs and miracles to substantiate that Jesus of Nazareth was in fact the only begotten son of God and that a new covenant was about to be struck between our Heavenly Father and Haman Kind – first for the Jews and also with the Gentiles.




I love so many things about the holiday season.  All of the imagery which portrays good cheer and happiness toward our family and fellow acquaintance's.  I like the food and beverages which are sometimes a little more than good spirits.  I am also hopeful that these attitudes will continue on into the approaching year.  It's always a joy to see all of the holiday programing on television - the animated traditional Christmas stories, the classic movies, the parades and I especially enjoy the Popes annual Christmas Mass on PBS, even though I'm not Catholic.  The New Years "Rose Parade" is also a treat for the whole family! 
 
 
 
 

Artist conception of the stable where Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem.
 


The birth of Jesus Christ is a simple story; so simple that even little children understand it perfectly.  It’s only as we become older that questions begin to form about so many things concerning religion.  So this is why we take the time to remember the birth and life of Jesus.  We retell the story's.  We sing the songs.  We exchange gifts.  We give thanks for the love which is all around us.  In many ways we renew our faith as we prepare for the new year ahead of us.
 

It’s very difficult to imagine the kind of world Jesus was born into.  The cruelty which men and Governments inflicted upon each other and  their citizens is almost unspeakable by today’s standards.  As Jesus lived he thought his disciples and all who would listen the lessons of peace and tolerance toward all men.  These teachings would begin to change the world and advance human civilization.  This is the peace and love which passes all understanding and brings us all closer to God.



Even in today's world so many terrible things happen which cause us wonder if there is even a God.  How could a creator who is so good and loving allow such pain to afflict us?  Truthfully I don't have an answer for this question.  The recent events at the Sandy Hook Elementary, CT cause us all to grieve.  I have been taught to believe that God suffers some things to happen to human kind.  It all probably stems from the original fall from grace but for Christians we can look forward to a better life after we leave this world.  We also endeavor to make a better life in this world!   As for now; all we can do is offer each other our most heart felt sympathy and share each others grief.  We should also remember that our faith is in God and not in some of our fellow human beings.
 



So please consider this as my Holiday Greetings to all of you.  May your Christmas be bright and your New Years be filled with good cheer!






People normally don't think of Los Angeles here in sunny Southern California
as a Christmas local but as you can see, the mountains to the north of
are filled with snow.  I have heard that Santa also makes his rounds by
Stage Coach when ever he is unable to use his Sleigh!




Felicity Blaze Noodleman.
 
 
 
 
 

The Church of the Nativity was built in Bethlehem, Israel to mark
what is believed to be the true location of Jesus birth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


* “The Noodleman Group” is pleased to announce that we are now carrying a link to the “USA Today” news site.We installed the “widget/gadget” August 20, and it will be carried as a regular feature on our site.Now you can read“Noodleman” and then check in to “USA Today” for all the up to date News, Weather, Sports and more!Just scroll all the way down to the bottom of our site and hit the “USA Today” hyperlinks.Enjoy!
 
 
 
 
 The Noodleman Group in on Google Blogger!  3,781
 
 
 
 
 


Friday, December 14, 2012

Held Hostage!

 
 
*  All images courtesy of "Google Images".
Information contained in this article courtesy of "Wikipedia,
"The Los Angeles Times" and "89.3 KPCC,Southern California Public Radio"
Titles by FBN.

 


My Name if Felicity Blaze Noodleman and I write for the Noodleman Group.  This week’s article will address the problems we all are faced with concerning the sky rocketing financial costs of Government at every level and especially the exorbitant costs of law enforcement here in Los Angeles, CA.  First of all let me state the need for law enforcement.  It should be responsible law enforcement.  I’m usually one to cry “police brutality”, but every once and a while I run across an incident which leads me to ask myself; what in the world do these guys think they are doing?

 

Now; before I go any further let me say in all fairness, Los Angeles has some very special law enforcement needs.  LA is a major port area -  a port of entry for all air and sea traffic coming into the United States.  LA is also not that far from the US – Mexico border which presents other security issues.  Lastly; LA is home to the entertainment industry which has its own law enforcement issues.
 
 
 
 
 

"The color of authority".
 



The List of law enforcement in the county of Los Angeles is truly astounding and our tax dollars are paying for it all.  It would seem to me that local law enforcement easily our number the National Guard.   With approximately 20,612  officers working out of an estimated 4 different local law enforcement agencies (LAPD – Los Angeles Police Department;  LASD – Los Angeles Sheriff Department; LAGSP – Los Angeles General Services Police; and the LAXPD – Los Angeles Airport Police Department) it is no exaggeration to say that we are living in a police state similar to Nazi Germany.  Also consider all of the other law enforcement agencies working within the LA area (Highway Patrol, Port Authority, State Police and FBI ect.). 

 

Each of Los Angeles 42 contract cities also maintain a police force.  The list is truly extensive.  These days the trend for law enforcement is growing steadily since 9/11 with more and more safety police, special interest guards and security guards showing up on a yearly basis.  Policing is becoming big business!  Many of these agencies are paying good wages including benefits – you know; the works – health and pension!  When all the expenses are added up including cash settlements for police misconduct it would seem that taxpayers are being held hostage - pay what is being demanded or else! 
 
 
 
 
 

2012 has not been a good year for the LAPD as this South LA
accident illustrates.
 

 

WHY  AM  I  WRITING
THIS  ARTICLE ?
 

The other day I was having breakfast and coffee at my regular Jack In The Box.  After using the woman’s room I was stepping out for a cigarette when I noticed 6 or 7 police officers arresting another of the restraints customers whom I will call “Johnny Boy”.  Johnny comes to the Jack In The Box also for breakfast.  He is homeless and a mental case as I have observed him talking to his imaginary nemesis.  Sometimes Johnny can get quite loud and I believe this is why he was being arrested.  Question:  Why so many police officers who all showed up in their 5 police cars just to detain and arrest one mentally disabled homeless man?  I feel this was excessive.

 

As I go about my daily business moving back and forth in Los Angeles, so many times I observe the police committing a high number of infractions which you or I would be cited for.  Shouldn’t our police be setting a good example for us all?  Of course they should but don't always do so.  I suppose they think their badges grant them extra rights.  Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.  On the very same day I witnessed Johnny Boy being arrested by a brigade of LAPD officers I am going home when I see this LAPD riot vehicle parked in a bus stop zone.  I questioned the officers about it and suggested they move ahead to a more neutral area and park their vehicle which they did.  Sometimes I think the police just aren’t paying attention to what they’re doing at all!

 

The two above incidents are just a few of so many cases I have witnessed over the years.  Are the police just stressed out and not even thinking at all?  I realize they are only human but give us all a break officers!  You are supposed to be making our streets safer but in some cases the police are the number one hazard.  We need to really "be ware" when these officers who operate under the motto "to protect and serve" are around.
 
 
 
 
 
 

LAPD auto accident in N. Hollywood - 2010, (give yourself a ticket
for that one officer)!
 



Speaking as one citizen who gets a little upset when she hears about police officers who are involved in any kind of misconduct and the law suits that go along with this kind of lawlessness, I become enraged by the cash settlements the city is obligated to pay out in judgments for irresponsible police officers. 

 
 
 
 

 LAPD on Hollywood Blvd. 2006 involved with brutality incident.

 


Are the police as bad or worse than criminals?  City budgets are now operating in the red financially and having to borrow money to meet their annual payrolls. This has been happening for some time now and is expected to continue rising out of control.  Record payouts by Jury awards to victims of police brutality seem to be at an all time high.  This also includes property damage settlements for the irresponsible behavior of our officers in blue.  Credit ratings for all levels of our government have fallen and are approaching the default point.  If you or I had a credit rating this bad we would be cut off and be expected to repair our finances or else!  We cannot afford this kind behavior from our police officials not to mention the stigma it gives society as a whole!

 
 
 
 
 
 
LAPD beating victims top left to right:  Rodney King 1991 - Michelle Jordan 2012
bottom left to right:  Oliver Martinez 2012 - Brian Mulligan 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Now we have come to the subject of officer involved shootings.  The numbers are not good for the LAPD.  I've pulled a recent report from the "LA Times" which explains:
 
 
 

Watchdog disputes LAPD rationale for rise in police shootings

A report by the Police Commission inspector general disagrees with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's assertion of a link between the jump in officer-involved shootings and assaults on officers.

July 02, 2012|By Joel Rubin, Los Angeles Times

Last year, as the number of police shootings soared, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck repeatedly gave his bosses and the public an explanation: Officers were discharging their weapons more because they were coming under attack more. He bolstered his assertion with LAPD statistics that showed an increase in the number of assaults on officers.

But an independent LAPD watchdog now contends there was no link between the dramatic rise in officer-involved shootings and assaults on officers.

Alex Bustamante, the inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Commission, which oversees the LAPD, scrutinized the 2011 assault and shooting figures in a report he will present to the commission Tuesday. In the report, he challenged the way the LAPD tallies assaults on officers, suggesting it is misleading.

Los Angeles police fired their weapons in 63 incidents last year, a total which marked a roughly 50% increase over the shootings in any of the previous four years, according to the report. Beck has explained the increase by pointing to what the LAPD said was a 22% increase in assaults on officers from 2010 to 2011. Police officials counted 193 such incidents in 2011, which were recorded as assaults with a deadly weapon or attempted murders, according to the report.

"Officer involved shootings are also up — largely in response to these kind of attacks," Beck told the Police Commission in November.

But the inspector general found several reasons why he said this cause-and-effect relationship wasn't accurate. For one, from 2007 to last year, the number of assaults on officers fluctuated dramatically from one year to the next. The number of officer-involved shootings, however, remained relatively flat until last year, when they jumped. If there had been a connection between the two, the year-to-year totals should have climbed and dropped in sync, according to the report.

The way the department tracks shootings and assaults on officers also muddied matters, Bustamante found. Attacks on officers are tallied based on the number of officers present when assaults occur. By contrast, the department counts an officer-involved shooting as a single event regardless of how many officers open fire. In an incident in April 2011, for example, in which a suspect shot at police from inside a house, the LAPD counted 16 assaults on officers and one officer-involved shooting, despite the fact that 15 officers fired their weapons.

When Bustamante recalculated last year's assault total to count the number of incidents instead of officers, he counted 106 attacks — a 45% drop from the department's total. And, instead of a double-digit increase that Beck had contended, Bustamante said the number of assaults was actually about even from 2010 to 2011.

Finally, the report examined the department's Southeast and 77th Street divisions, both of which experienced large increases in officer-involved shootings in 2011. It showed that while attacks on officers rose in 77th Street, they fell in Southeast.
"As such, there does not appear to be a clear correlation" between attacks and shootings, the report concluded. Bustamante's report did not offer any possible explanations for the increase in officer shootings.
 
The Los Angeles Times
 
 
 
 
I recently read of a case involving an police shooting of an unarmed 19 year old youth.  Officers discharged 120 rounds killing the suspect.  The youths family is suing  the city of LA for $120 million, a million for each round fired. Do you have $120 million?  I don't!  I couldn't afford the legal costs.  I guess the police were feeling exceptionally wealthy that day and must have thought the city's insurance would take care of the mess.  The story was reported by 89.3 KPCC; Southern California Public Radio and follows below:
 
 
 






Family of Abdul Arian sues city for $120 million — $1 million for every shot fired, they say

County of Los Angeles

A drawing from Abdul Arian's autopsy shows multiple bullet wounds. Arian's family is suing LAPD, claiming they used excessive force when officers shot and killed the 19-year-old.

Abdul Arian was shot and killed by LAPD officers after a freeway chase April 11, 2012. Today, his family announced they're suing the city for $120 million — that's $1 million for every shot they say police fired at the teen.

The family's attorney, Jeffrey Galen, said it was the worst case of excessive force he's seen in his 25-year career, and that more accountability is needed to keep police shootings from escalating.

"It would have been excessive to fire just one shot," Galen said. Meanwhile, he said police and the city have been uncooperative in giving the family information about the night of Arian's death. The lawsuit, he said, is to seek justice and to seek answers.

The incident made national headlines. After a chase, Arian, 19, stopped his car, blocking lanes on the 101. A police car then hit the car's drivers side door, and Arian ran out the other side of the car. Video from a news chopper shows Arian running back and forth across the freeway, sometimes taking an odd stance (which some have described as a "shooting stance"), before he's fatally shot.

Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, has said Arian's actions made police believe their lives were at risk.

Galen said Arian was clearly taking photos with his camera and said that the nearest officer, who he said was maybe 6 feet away, would have been able to see that Arian was holding a cell phone. "With the headlights and the spotlights from the helicopter, it was like daylight," Galen said.


Arian was unarmed, but police have said he called 911 and told dispatch he was carrying a gun and was ready to engage with police. That recording hasn't been released, but police did release a partial transcript of the conversation. In it, Arian is quoted as telling the dispatcher, "I have a gun," and "If they pull their guns, I'm gonna have to pull my gun out on them."

Galen said the phone call lasted nine minutes and if released, could give insight into Arian's state of mind and why he failed to pull over for police cars. Galen said the family has tried to hear the tape on their own, without a public release, and has been repeatedly turned away. Galen said he called the City Attorney's Office to ask why they wouldn't let the family hear the tape or view photos on the cell phone, and was told, "if you want it, subpoena it." That's when the family decided to do just that and file suit, Galen said.

The City Attorney's Office was not immediately available for comment. LAPD spokespeople said they cannot comment on an open lawsuit.

The lawsuit names the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department, Chief Charles Beck, and a number of anonymous police officers. The defendants are expected to be served with papers Monday and then will have 21 days to respond.

On Monday, standing on the steps of the Federal District Court in Downtown Los Angles, they questioned why officers couldn't have used less lethal force to subdue Arian. Galen also questioned why officers, if they were in fear for their lives, "charged" towards Arian instead of taking cover.

Galen said the shooting was also reckless, claiming shots hit nearby buildings, including a Porsche dealership. According to the Coroner's report, Arian was shot in the head, torso, left arm, right hand, right shoulder, right thigh, lower right leg, left wrist, and the leftside lower back. The Medical Examiner found no drugs or alcohol in his system and family said Arian had never suffered from depression.

Family members described Arian as a "good boy." His sister, Nelofar Arian, said her brother always came running when she needed help. She said more than anything, Arian, who drove a Crown Victoria, wanted to be a police officer. His favorite hobby, she said, was "driving his car." She said her mother is so distraught, she "can't talk."

Galen said if they win the suit, the family plans on donating a substantial amount of the money back to the LAPD to invest in officer use-of-force training.

Officer-involved shootings have risen dramatically in Los Angeles lately. In 2011, there were 54 fatal officer-involved shootings, up 70 percent from the prior year.
Around the country, the number of officers killed by suspects has also risen: 72 were killed last year, up 75 percent from 2008.
 
89.3 KPCC  S.C. Public Radio





IS  IT  TIME
FOR  GOVERNMENT  TO
RETHINK  LAW  ENFORCEMENT?

 

The basic concept of law enforcement in the United States really hasn’t changed too much in the last 150 years.  Do the police really need to be carrying guns?  Most police departments and their officer’s act like they’re Wyatt Earp or something during the days of the wild west in Tombstone, AZ of the 1870’s.  Our police officers are the last of the cowboys!  In today’s world of 2012 shouldn’t we be advancing to the next logical step in law enforcement?  Do our police officers really need to be carrying guns?  A list of countries where the police no not carry guns is as follows:


England
Wales
Scotland
Republic of Ireland
New Zealand
Cook Islands
St. Helena - They also police Ascension Island and Tristan Da
Falkland Islands
Pitcairn Island
Iceland



Countries such as Japan and Germany are among other nations which normally don't arm their police offers as well but I do not have a complete list.  These nations are far more advanced than ours in the practice of policing.   I mean honestly;  the days of the gun slinger are over!  I feel a huge financial savings could be realized if local governments would only follow the examples of these more advanced civilizations.  STUDY IT, TEST IT AND IMPLEMENT IT!  What we need today in the 21st. Century is "smart law enforcement".  You would think with everything police officers carry on their belts for eight to twelve hours a day that they themselves would want loose their guns.




Let me offer another cost saving idea concerning our police departments.  Could we implement a program which would be similar to the military?  Officers would serve in a four year program like the National Guard and then be released.  This would save a lot of money since there would be no pensions offered and would continually add fresh young officers  eliminating the problem of stressed older policeman.  Just an idea!  I found a very interesting web site which reports national police statistics and will pass it along to you:






I have not enjoyed writing this article at all.  It cuts across my grain but these things have to be exposed.  In conclusion:  now that I've added my two cents worth about the police, that's about what it's worth.  Things probably won't change until there is some kind of monumental incident of catastrophic proportions.  This is Felicity trying to stay out of LAPD's way and hoping for the best! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 "NO  COMMENT"
 
 
 
 
 


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